Jet2 has lifted the mask-wearing policy for most of its UK flights following the removal of nearly all remaining COVID-19 restrictions in England.
A few airports have also started to slowly transition to the new national approach. Manchester, for instance, “strongly -recommends- the wearing of face coverings in all parts of the airport campus, including on airport buses.”
Heathrow, on the other hand, is not ready to ditch face masks on their flights. “Wearing a face covering will still be required whilst in our terminals unless you are exempt,” its website reads.
Notice that the new Jet2’s regulation does not apply throughout the United Kingdom.
According to the airline, in both England and Northern Ireland, “it’s no longer a legal requirement to wear a face mask at our airports or onboard our planes,” said a Jet2 spokesperson.
“However, as per UK Government guidance, we recommend that you continue to wear a face mask in these spaces, and you will need to wear one when you get to your overseas destination.”
Scotland has taken a more cautious stance. People aged six and above are still required to wear a face mask at Scottish airports and on aircraft flying in and out of the country.
“Customers traveling from Scotland must still wear a face mask,” said Jet2.
Some US counterparts including American, Southwest, Delta, and United, have reportedly been discussing the prospect of ending the mask-wearing requirement when it expires on March 18th.
The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA expects the government makes the decision to renew it so staff has legal protection when dealing with passengers who may endanger others.
“We have every expectation that the mask mandate will be extended for the near term. The conditions in aviation are the same. Our youngest passengers do not yet have access to the vaccine,” a union spokesperson told reporters.